Furnace humidifier



Jan. 27, 1959 R. P. sKERRl'rT FURNACE HUMIDIF'IER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1955 w n 1 'M 7 7J M w n w Fu 7 n HH l |1 Il wu L E w mr A nu L nl J L @l 4 n wlw. Z 0 6 0 w n Ivg m film/ fm r L Jan. 27,` 1959 R. P. SKERRITT 2,870,762

FURNACE HUMIDIFIER Filed 001'.. 25, 1955 n 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNf/ENTOR.

United States Patent FURNACE HUMIDIFIER Roy P. Skerritt, Detroit, Mich.

Application October 25, 1955, Serial No. 542,569

' 2 Claims. (Cl. 126-113) and the humidifier pan are secured to the mounting bracket by a part of the same means which also secures the valve to the pin, such as by a nut threaded onto the valve nipple. f

Another object is to provide a furnace humidifier of the foregoing character wherein the mounting bracket contains a notch with an open front end into' which the threaded valve nipple is slid and secured by means of nuts threaded thereon which also secure the valve nipple to the humidifier pan, the open-ended notch thereby enabling the pan and valve assembly to be inserted or removed from the furnace casing and mounting bracket merely by loosening a nut on the valve nipple and sliding the valve and pan assembly into or out of the notch, the notch being preferablyl inclined to inhibitaccidental sliding out of the valve and pan unit upon accidental loosening of the Valve nipple nut, this notch in the mounting bracket containing the threaded valve nipple also enabling the humidifier pan and float-operated valve unit to be quickly and easily removed for cleaning purposes and to be replaced with a minimum of labor or effort.

Another object is to provide a furnace humidifier of the foregoing character which is of more rugged construction, provides greater evaporating capacity by reason of enabling the mounting of more evaporator plates in a given space than hitherto, and, by locating all parts of the fioat and float-operated valve outside the furnace casing, without the necessity of a slot or other opening in the partition therebetween, provides superior operation ywith greater freedom from lime deposition or corrosion,

especially under the heavy duty conditions encountered in geographic areas possessing hard Water.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following de scription of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a furnace humidifier attached exteriorly to a furnace casing, according to one formr of the invention, with an external portion thereof shown in side elevation;

Figure 2 is a top plan view partly in horizontal section, taken along the line 2 2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3k is an approximately vertical cross-section taken along the line 3 3 in Figure l;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-section taken along the line 4 4 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged central vertical section through ice the flow control valve and adjacent float arm structure used in the furnace humidifier of Figures 1 to 4 inclusive;

Figure 6 is a cross-section taken along the line 6 6 m Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal section through the evaporator pan and evaporator plate bracket taken along the line 7 7 in Fig. l. v

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 4 inclusive show a furnace humidifier, generally designated 10, according to one form of the invention as mounted upon the casing 12 of a conventional heating furnace 14 and projecting through an approximately rectangular aperture 16 in the casing 14. As shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3, the aperture 16 is almost entirely closed by an approximately T-shaped partition 18 with an upper portion 20 wider than the aperture 16 and a narrower lower portion 22 separated from one another by horizontal shoulders 24. The casing 12 surrounding the aperture 16 is provided with. multiple screw holes `26 re',- ceiving screws or other fasteners 28 which secure to the furnace casing 12 a humidifier mounting bracket, generally designated 30, and also the humidifier partition 18 (Figure l).

The mounting bracket 30 consists of an approximately rectangular border portion 31 which is drilled as at 32 in alignment with the casing holes 26 to receive the screws or other fasteners 28. Projecting outwardly from the border portion 31 are two parallel mounting wings 34, each having an arcuate upper edge portion 36 terminating at its upper end in a notch 38 and at its lower end in a forward vertical edge portion 40. Fitting over the edge portions 36 and 40 is a correspondingly-shaped cover 42 having an upper edge flange 44 hooking into the notches 38. The cover 42 is curved to fit the arcuate edge portion 36 of the mounting bracket wings 34, andv has a horizontal portion 48 fitting over the top of the front end of a humidifier pan, generally designated 50. The cover 42 is edge-flanged as at 52 to overhang the arcuate portions 36 of the mounting bracket wings 34 and also the front end of the humidifier pan 5ft. One of the wings 34 in its forward edge 40 is provided with an upwardly and inwardly inclined notch 54 with a raised border portion 56 (Figures l and 3) for securing the humidifier pan to the mounting bracket 30 in cantileversupported relationship therewith and also securing the float-operated valve unit, generally designated 58, to the wings 34 of the mounting bracket 30, as explained below.

The humidifier pan 50 is of elongated approximately rectangular shape with front and rear walls or ends 60 and 62 respectively, opposite side walls`64 and 66, each being inwardly bent as at 67 along the major portion thereof between its opposite ends 60 and 62, and a bottom wall .68. The left-hand side wall 66 (Figure 3) is provided with a hole 70 aligned with the rearward end of the notch 54, both serving for the passage of the threaded valve nipple 72 of the float-operated valve unit 58. The lower or narrower portion 22 of the partition 18 extends downwardly intoy the humidifier pan to a location near the bottom wall 68 thereof (Figure 3), and the shouldered portion 24 rests upon the upper edges 74 of the humidifier pan 50.

The valve nipple 72 is threaded as at 76 on the portion which passes through the hole 70 and notch 54 in the humidifier pan side wall 66 aud mounting bracket wing 34 respectively (Figure 5), and carries nuts 78 and by which it is secured thereto, with the intermediate aid of washers 82 of elastic deformable material, such as synthetic rubber. Also mounted on the threaded portion 76 of the valve nipple 72 is the rearward vertical wall 84 of a combined pivot bracket and spray hood, generally designated 86, the rear wall 84 being provided with a hole 88 for the passage of the threaded portion 76y of operates with the rear wall y8,4 and parallel side walls or wings 100 to form a spray hood over and on both sides of the nozzle portion 92 of the valve nipple 72, so as -to prevent water from spraying in undesired directions. The side wings 100, rear wall 84 and .top wall 98 are formed by ybendingoperfations from a single -piece of sheet material, such assheet metal. The side wings 101B broaden lin `a downward direction and their lower por tions contain aligned pivot holes 102 which receive an upper `pivot element 104, such as a .Cotter pin, which also passes through holes 106 in the parallel side walls 108 of afloat arm carrier 110 pivotally mounted on the pivot clement 104. The float arm carrier 110'has an upper wall 112 which is provided withan indented internally-threaded tubular portion 114 into which is threaded a oat arm adjusting screw 116, the lower end of which is grooved as at 118 to enter a slot 120 in the upper wall or web 122 of a float arm 124.

The float arm 124 is of channel cross-section (Figure 6) and its side flanges 126 are provided with notches 128 extending upward from their lower edges (Figure 5) and receiving a lower pivot element 130, such as a cotter pin, which is inserted through aligned holes 132 in the lower portions of the parallel side walls 108 of the float arm carrier 110. Thus, by moving the adjusting screw V116 upward or downward, the outer end of the float arm 124 can be raised or lowered around the lower pivot element 130 as a pivot axis, thereby adjusting the position of the oat 134 relatively to the float arm carrier110. The outer end of the float arm 124 is embedded in the float 134, which is preferably of so-called -forrn glass, by pushing it therein, securing it by a nail or other fastener 136 passing through both the float 134 and the upper wall 122 of the float arm 124.

The float arm carrier 110 is provided with a downwardly-extending rear Wall or flange 138 (Figure 5) which is drilled as at 140 to receive the slightly tapered stem 142 of a valve member, generally designated 144. The valve member 144 has a cup-shaped head 146 with a cupshaped recess or valve seat 148 engageable with the stationary valve seat 94 on the nozzle portion 92 of the valve nipple 72 (Figure 5). Extending downwardly from the rim 150 around the recess 148 is a bib or drip apron 152 to further inhibit the water spray from the nozzle portion 92 and prevent the water from reaching the metallic parts of the float arm carrier 110, float arm 124 and its associated parts. This provision of the bib or apron 152 and of nonconducting foam glass float 134 thus prevents an electrical connection from being established between the water in the humidifier pan 50, the float arm carrier 110 or float arm 124 and its associated parts and the valve nipple 72, with a consequent corrosive electrolytic action which otherwise would be caused by the action of the electrolyte-forming salts present in water in various parts of the United States. The valve member 144 with its associated parts 142 and 152 is preferably formed of elastic deformable material, such as synthetic rubber. Thus, the float-operated ow valve unit 58 is mounted transversely of the humidifier pan 50 in the forward end portion thereof located outside the furnace casing 12 and protected from the heat inside the latter by the partition 18.

The rearward end wall 62 of the humidifier pan 50 is grooved vertically as at 154 (Figure 7) to receive the lower end portion 156 of arcuate cross-section of the vertical arm 158 of the evaporator plate supporting brack- 4 et, generally designated 160. The latter ,is of inverted Lf shaped form, with a horizontal forwardly-extending arm 162 provided with approximately rectangular bent portions 164 forming approximately U-shaped notches 166 spaced longitudinally apart from one another along the major part of the length of the bracket arm 162. Mounted in the humidifier pan 50 and resting upon the bottom wall 68 thereof are the lower narrow portions 168 of evaporator plates of approximately T-shaped form, the wider upper portions 172 of which have wings 174 overhanging the upper edges 74 of the humidier pau 50 so as to increase the evaporating capacity of the humidifier 10. The evaporator plates 17,0 are of porous material, such as compressed glass fiber, to provide a capillary action to lift the water from the pan 50. The upper portions 172 of the evaporator plates 170 are provided with rectangular apertures 176, the upper edge portions 178 of which are Areceived in the approximately U- shaped notches 166 to prevent the plates'170 from tilting or becoming otherwise displaced while their lower ends rest on the bottom wal1'68 of the Ihumidifier pan 50 (Figure l). The vertical arm 158 and the rearward wall 62 are drilled to Areceive an adjusting and clamping bolt 180 by which the bracket 160 may be raised or lowered in order to cause the sides of the bent portions `164 of the upper arm 162 to engage the opposite side surfaces of the evaporator plates 17 0 while the upper edge of the aperture 176 remains slightly above the bottom of the -U- shaped notch 166 in which it is received.

In the operation of the invention, let it be assumed that the furnace humidifier 10 has been mounted inthe manner described above with the rearward end of the pan 50 extending through the aperture 16 into the interior of the furnace casing 12 and resting on the lower edge of the aperture 16 (Figure 1), that the evaporator plates 170 have been inserted and held in the above-described manner by the multiple-notched bracket 160, and that a cold water pipe has been connected to the threaded portion 76 of the valve stem 72 of the float-operated valve unit 58. Let it further be assumed that water W yhas filled the pan 50 to the level L thereof, Vthe adjusting screw 116 having been adjusted to vclose the valver member 144 upon `the valve nozzle portion 92 at the level L, shutting off the further ow of water until -the heat within the furnace casing 12 causes sucient evaporation of the water W from the pan 50 to lower the level L thereof.

Meanwhile, the heated air passing upward past the pan 50 heats the latter and the water W therein while at the same time the evaporator plates 170 by their capillary action pull the water upward Ainto their wings 174 from which the Iheated air takes oft" water vapor Ain order to humidify the air passing upward through the heating ducts into the building structure heated thereby. When Vthe water level L drops by evaporation, the oat 134 and arm 124 thereof swing downward (Figures 3 and `6), rocking the lioat arm carrier 110 around'its upper pivot element 104 so as to withdraw the valve member 144 from sealing engagement with the valve seat 94 on the end of the valve nipple nozzle portion 92. Water accordingly drips or sprays out ofthe passageway 96, depending upon the amount by which the valve is'opened, gravity causing the water to d rop or drip downward. The hood formed by the walls 84, 98 and 100 of the combined pivot 'bracket and spray hood 86 cooperating with 'the cupped recess 148 of the movable valve member 1.44 confine the water drip or spray to a downward direction, Aaided `by the drip apron or bib 152. This construction protects the adjacent metal parts from corrosion or erosion by electrolytic ac tion and also from excessive deposition of lime.

,Since the entire valve and at unit S8 is in the fOrward end of the humidifier pan 5,0 outside the `casing 12 of the furnace 14, the partition '18 prevents heat or heated air from the inside of the Vfurnace casing 12 yfrom reaching the Haat and valve unit .further preterting this mechanism from electrolysis or llime deposition. The forward end portion of the pan S0 is, moreover, at a lower temperature than the rearward end thereof for the further reason that its portion of the bottom wall 68 is cooled by the cooler basement air outside the furnace casing 12, still further reducing the damaging effect of the hot water W upon the oat and valve parts. AFor these reasons, the applicants humidifier mechanism operates freely for longer periods of time, and with a lower cost of upkeep, than prior humidiers not so constructed and protected.

The life of the present humidifier is still further prolonged if, as is preferred, the partition 18 is made from a sacrificial metal, such as aluminum, which will be attacked by any electrolytic action before the remainder of the humidifier, thereby protecting the latter.

Wlhat I claim is:

1. A furnace humidifier comprising a mounting bracket having an apertured mounting plate adapted to be secured to the furnace and having upright wings extending outwardly therefrom in spaced parallel relationship, one of 'said wings having a notch extending inwardly from an edge thereof, a humidifier pan extending through said aperture with its front end portion disposed between and secured to said wings and with its rearward portion extending rearwardly from said mounting plate in cantileversupported relationship therewith, a partition plate disposed adjacent said mounting plate and extending downwardly over the aperture therein into said pan, and a oat-operated Valve unit disposed substantially entirely within said front end portion of said pan forwardly of said partition plate, said valve unit having a liquid supply conduit connection portion thereon passing through said pan and said notch and having fastening means thereon detachably securing said pan to said bracket.

2. A furnace humidifier comprising a mounting br-ack'- et having an aperture mounting plate adapted to be secured to the furnace and having upright wings extending outwardly therefrom in spaced parallel relationship, one of said wings having a notch extending inwardly from an vedge thereof, a humidifier pan extending through said aperture withk its front end portion disposed between and secured to said wings and with its rearward portion ex tending rearwardly from said mounting plate in cantilever-supported relationship therewith, a partition plate disposed adjacent said mounting plate and extending downwardly over the aperture therein into said pan, and a float-operated valve unit disposed substantially entirely within s-aid front end portion of said pan forwardly of said partition plate, said valve unit having a threaded liquid supply conduit connection portion thereon passing through said pan and said notch and having fastening means thereon threadedly engaging said threaded portion and detachably securing said pan to said bracket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,817,357 Fisher Aug. 4, 1931 2,049,731 Betts Aug. 4, 1936 2,236,538 Kuenhold Apr. 1, 1941 2,439,282 Beckett Apr. 6, 1948 2,565,210 Dovolis Aug. 21, 1951 2,585,764 Getz Feb. 12, 1952 2,678,235 Perlman May 11, 1954 2,749,933 Perlman June 12, 1956 

